Some time between my mid-twenties and today, the crowd traded their rough look for sweaters and scarfs, the smoke cleared (blissfully!), and tap list went from boring imports to a quite enjoyable if modest-sized selection of California micros (I had a SN Harvest and a Racer 5). Pain in the ass to get a beer, though, from the solo bartender who was badly swamped. This is a decent place to drink, despite the cheesy faux-british decor.

The beer selection is fairly limited. The most interesting thing on tap when I went last weekend was Drake’s IPA. Everything else was fairly widely accessible English Ales and the like. The place feels a little dirty. Nevertheless, they now have a narrow outdoor patio. On a Friday night at midnight, neither the Empire tap room nor Gordon Biersch were open, but this was. So they get points there. Can be a pretty fun place. If you’re in Palo Alto and looking for good beer, start at Empire, then Gordon Biersch and then to Rose & Crown. All are on Emerson street within walking distance. Fanny & Alexanders, also on Emerson can also be fun and they have a decent selection as well.

Good place for your Pub type ales and English/Irish imports. Don’t go looking for the rare microbrew, but quiz night is pretty fun.